Strawberry plant named ‘Eves Delight’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral cultivar, designated as ‘Eves Delight’ primarily adapted to the growing conditions in the United Kingdom. This day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar is primarily characterized by large flowers, an erect and upright growth habit, a large fruit size having superior uniformity, berries which are predominantly conical in shape with a small number of berries exhibiting a wedged shape, berries exhibiting a glossy bright red appearance, significantly better flavored berries, firmer fruit skin, significantly longer flower trusses, very moderate petiole pubescence, and a medium to late season production with moderate yields.

Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

Cultivar denomination: ‘Eves Delight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct cultivar of strawberry originated from a controlledcross performed in a glasshouse as part of an ongoing breeding programin Kent, United Kingdom between the agricultural selections ‘02P78’ (notpatented) and ‘02EVA13R’ (not patented) in 2003.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct day-neutral(everbearing) strawberry cultivar designated as ‘Eves Delight’. Thecultivar is botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa Duch. Under growingconditions in the United Kingdom this day-neutral (everbearing) cultivarhas shown significant improvements over the variety ‘Albion’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 16,228). Improvements over ‘Albion’ include, but are notlimited to, higher fruit quality, larger fruit size, superior eatingquality and skin firmness, and paler fruit color.

The female parent, ‘02P78’, is a day-neutral cultivar cropping in theUnited Kingdom in July August, and September. ‘02P78’ is a low yielding,but high quality cultivar, expressing large fruit size. The fruit of‘02P78’ has a pale orange color, an even rounded shape, and goodfirmness characteristics. ‘02P78’, however, exhibits a poor flavor.

The male parent, ‘02EVA13R’, is a day-neutral cultivar cropping in theUnited Kingdom in July August, and September. ‘02EVA13R’ is a lowyielding cultivar expressing good fruit quality and size, however, thefirmness and flavor of ‘02EVA13R’ are below average.

The female parent, ‘02P78’, is a hybrid of Fragaria×ananassa Duch andthe male parent, ‘02EVA13R’, was derived from an open pollinated seed ofan unknown cultivar of Fragaria×ananassa Duch. Both parental cultivarswere selected in 2002 from the same field, and while they were notconsidered to have commercial potential, both parental selections wereretained as parental cultivars. Accordingly, ‘Eves Delight’ is of thespecies Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

The seedling fruited in the summer of 2004 at the seedling field locatedin Kent, United Kingdom was originally designated ‘04CF21’, andsubsequently named ‘Eves Delight’ for introduction. ‘04CF21’ wasselected because the cultivar produced a moderate yield of extremelyhigh quality and good sized fruit. Additionally, the cultivar exhibiteda firmness and flavor of outstanding merit combined with a unique andpleasing aroma.

‘Eves Delight’ was trialed in trial plots in Kent, United Kingdom duringthe years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. During the period of trials ‘EvesDelight’ was reproduced asexually for four (4) successive years. Foreach trial year, asexual propagation of ‘Eves Delight’ was by means ofstolons (runners) and took place at the glasshouse facility as partlocated in Kent, United Kingdom. Additionally, during the year 2007,however, a limited number of ‘Eves Delight’ plants were reproducedasexually by stolons at a propagation facility in Kent, United Kingdom.In all four (4) generations, plants were observed for trueness to typeduring the fruiting phase with no abnormalities being observed. Furtherpropagation, at nurseries located at Faversham and Deal in Kent andSouthampton in Hampshire, United Kingdom, was completed on a largerscale in 2008 using tissue culture plants as mother plants. Thispropagation demonstrated no obvious abnormalities in these plants. Allpropagules of ‘Eves Delight’ have been observed to be true to type inthat during all asexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruitcharacteristics of the original plant have been maintained.

The new cultivar is primarily adapted to the climate and growingconditions of south eastern England and other regions of similar climateand day length. These regions provide the necessary winter temperaturesrequired for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to produce fruitin the summer harvest season from June through September, depending onlocation.

The following list of traits, in combination, defines the new cultivaras a unique cultivar distinguishable from other commercial varieties inthe region:

-   -   erect, upright growth habit;    -   large fruit size having superior uniformity;    -   predominantly conically shaped berries with a small number of        berries exhibiting a wedged shape;    -   berries exhibiting a glossy bright red appearance;    -   significantly better flavored berries;    -   significantly firmer fruit skin;    -   significantly longer flower trusses, their relative position to        the leaves being exposed and protruding to the sides of the        plant and loaded with fruit;    -   very moderate petiole pubescence;    -   medium to late season production with moderate yields; and    -   extended harvest season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newcultivar, designated at various stages of development as nearly true asis possible to make in color reproductions. The depicted plant and plantparts were from the 2008 harvest season, approximately five (5) monthsafter planting.

FIG. 1 Typical fully developed primary fruit, measured in length (cm).

FIG. 2 Typical fully developed primary fruit, measured in width (cm).

FIG. 3 Typical primary fruit and typical primary flowers.

FIG. 4 Typical fruiting truss.

FIG. 5 A selection of large primary fruits (outer circle) having awedge-shape, secondary fruits (middle circle) having a conical shape,and tertiary fruits (inner circle) having a rounded conical shape.

FIG. 6 ‘Eves Delight’ fruit skin color identified using The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (44 A).

FIG. 7 Typical ‘Eves Delight’ fruit interior flesh coloration near theoutside fruit surface identified using The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (33 A).

FIG. 8 Typical ‘Eves Delight’ fruit inner core coloration identifiedusing The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (39B).

FIG. 9 An ‘Eves Delight’ flower with visible corolla (petals, stamens,and ovary).

FIG. 10 A typical mature leaf with attached petiole and leafy stipule atthe base of the petiole, measured in length and having roundedserrations and channel-like venations.

FIG. 11 Upper leaf surface color identification of a fully expanded‘Eves Delight’ leaf using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(137A).

FIG. 12 Lower leaf surface color identification of a fully expanded‘Eves Delight’ leaf using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(138B).

FIG. 13 Petiole color identification using The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (144B).

FIG. 14 Stipule color identification using The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (144 A).

FIG. 15 Photo of a cropping ‘Eves Delight’ plant in mid-summer withleaves, flowers, and fruits visible at various developmental stages.

FIG. 16 Photo of a cropping ‘Eves Delight’ plant in late summer withleaves, flowers, and fruits visible at various developmental stages.

FIG. 17 Close shot of typical ‘Eves Delight’ fruit trusses showing largeprimary fruits as well as secondary and tertiary fruits.

FIG. 18 Close shot of typical ‘Eves Delight’ fruit trusses with fruitsat various developmental stage visible and an open flower on the sameflower-fruit truss.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘Eves Delight’, unless otherwise noted, isbased on observations taken of plants and fruits grown in a trials fieldcovered with tunnels and polyethylene covers as part of an ongoingbreeding program in Kent, United Kingdom.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and thecolor terminology used herein is in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color descriptions and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions.

Propagation

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Althoughpropagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods ofpropagating strawberry plants may be used. Strawberry plants root wellfollowing transplanting.

Comparative Fruit Characteristics

The fruit characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’ include, but are not limitedto, the characteristics of the fruit itself, the fruit production, andthe fruit quality. Fruit characteristics for ‘Eves Delight’ wereobserved over four (4) seasons and the data was taken from the 2008harvest season.

Table 1 shows the average fruit yield and size of ‘Eves Delight’ frommeasurements taken during the year 2008 when subjected to theenvironmental and growing conditions as they existed in the UnitedKingdom at that time. The measurements of ‘Albion’ were taken in theUnited States and cannot reflect the average total yields or primaryberry weights of ‘Albion’ as they might exist under the sameenvironmental or growing conditions that ‘Eves Delight’ was subjected towhen grown in the United Kingdom.

In 2008 fruit harvest started on 6 June and continued through September.The plants of ‘Eves Delight’ were grown in a nursery in Kent, UnitedKingdom and planted in April 2008.

TABLE 1 Quantitative Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’ FruitYields and Weights Cultivar (Average total Cultivar (Primary yield ingrams per plant) Average berry weight in grams) Average ‘Eves Delight’1,216 ‘Eves Delight’ 34.7 ‘Albion’ 2,417 ‘Albion’ 33.0

Table 2 compares the fruit characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’ berrieswith another standard variety. Measurements provided were taken fromfully mature (ripe) primary fruits. Fruit width is measured across thewidest part of the berry, typically, across the shoulders of the berry.

TABLE 2 Quantitative Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’ FruitCharacteristics Characteristic ‘Eves Delight’ ‘Albion’ Exterior ColorRed 44A 5R 3/7 (RHS) (Munsell) Internal Color (Inner Core) Red 39B 7.5R4/11 (RHS) (Munsell) Achene Color Yellow 2A 7.5R 3/6 (RHS) (Munsell)Mature Fruit Length 51 60.6 Mean (mm) Mature Fruit Width 42 49.7 Mean(mm) Mature Fruit Length/ 1.21 1.2 Width Ratio Achenes per Primary Berry552/primary berry 440.8/primary berry Achene Position Even to slightlyMostly indented, protruded some even

Table 3 compares the fruit quality characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’with the fruit quality characteristics of ‘Albion.’ Comparisons of fruitquality include, but are not limited to, flesh firmness, soluble solids(as measured by % Brix), and acidity.

TABLE 3 Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’ Fruit QualityCharacteristics Characteristic ‘Eves Delight’ ‘Albion’ Fruit SkinFirmness Firm Firm to very firm Flesh Firmness Soft internal textureFirmer internal texture Fruit Appearance Bright red, high gloss Dark redin color and low gloss Fruit Aroma Strong aroma Medium aroma FruitSweetness High sugars, strong Medium sweetness sweetness Soluble Solids10.5% 8.5% (% Brix) Acidity Low acidity Medium acidity

-   Detailed fruit characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’:    -   -   Ratio of length to width.—Longer than broad.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Predominant shape.—Conical.        -   Aroma.—Strong.        -   Differences in shape between primary and secondary            fruit.—Moderate to strong.        -   Differences in shape between primary and tertiary            fruit.—Slight to moderate.        -   Band without achenes.—Very small width.        -   Color of mature fruit (ripe).—Bright red (Red 44A).        -   Evenness of color.—Even.        -   Glossiness.—High.        -   Achene position.—Even to slightly protruded.        -   Attitude of the calyx segments.—Equally flush and reflexed.        -   Color of the upper (adaxial) surface of the calyx.—Green            (Green 138A).        -   Color of the lower (abaxial) surface of the calyx.—Green            (Green 143A).        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Generally            smaller.        -   Firmness of skin.—Very firm.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Moderate firmness.        -   Color of flesh.—Interior flesh coloration near the outside            edges of the fruit surface approaches bright orange-red            (Orange-Red 33A) and the inner core approaches red (Red            39B).        -   Hollow center.—Moderately expressed in primary fruit, weakly            expressed in secondary and tertiary fruit.        -   Achene color.—Generally bright yellow (Yellow 2A), however,            when fully exposed to light, achenes are red (Red 39A) in            color.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium to            late.        -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe            fruit).—Medium to late.        -   Type of bearing.—Day-neutral (everbearing).

Comparative Plant Characteristics

Table 4 is a comparison of the plant characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’with the plant characteristics of ‘Albion’ when the varieties were grownside-by side in Kent, United Kingdom. Comparisons of plantcharacteristics include differences in plant height, width, and breadth.

TABLE 4 Quantitative Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’ PlantCharacteristics Characteristic ‘Eves Delight’ ‘Albion’ Plant Height Mean(mm) 380 252 Plant Width Mean (mm) 427.5 388 Plant Breadth Mean (mm) 460370

-   -   -   Size.—Large.        -   Habit.—Erect and open.

Comparative Foliage Characteristics

Table 5 compares the leaf characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’ with theleaf characteristics of ‘Albion.’ Foliage characteristics are taken froma fully mature tri-foliate leaf during mid-season.

TABLE 5 Quantitative Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’ PlantFoliage Characteristics Characteristic ‘Eves Delight’ ‘Albion’ AdaxialSurface Color Green 137A 5GY 3/2 (RHS) (Munsell) Abaxial Surface ColorGreen 138B 5GY 5/6 (RHS) (Munsell) Mid-tier Leaflet Length 92 73 Mean(mm) Mid-tier Leaflet Width 93 68 Mean (mm) Petiole Length Mean (mm) 224105 Petiole Diameter (mm) 4 4.1 Petiole Color Yellow-Green 5GY 7/10 144B(RHS) (Munsell) Petiolule Length Mean (mm) 14 7.4 Stipule Length Mean(mm) 29 23.3 Stipule Color Yellow-Green 5GY 6/8 144A (RHS) (Munsell)Serrations per Leaf 19.2 71.8 Number of Leaflets/Leaf 3 3 Leaf ConvexitySome flat, some Some flat, most slightly concave slightly concave

-   Detailed foliage characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’:    -   -   Leaf.—Color of adaxial surface — Dark green (Green 137A).            Color of abaxial surface — Light green to nearly gray green            (Green 138B). Shape in cross section — Flat to slightly            concave. Blistering — Slight to strong on the mid-tier            leaflet. Number of leaflets/leaf—Three.        -   Mid-tier leaflet.—Length/width ratio — Wider than long.            Shape of base — The terminal leaflet is nearly round,            slightly wider than long, the two side leaflets are oblique.            Shape of base — The terminal leaflet base is obtuse. Shape            of leaflet apex — The leaflet apex is generally rounded with            the occasional apex expressing a retuse shape. Shape of            serrations — Crenate. Venation of leaflets — Pinnate.        -   Petiole.—Pubescence density — Moderate. Petiole color —            Medium to light green (Yellow-Green 144B).        -   Petiolule.—Mean petiolule diameter — 0.81 cm. Petiolule            color — Medium to light green (Yellow-Green 144C).        -   Stipule.—Mean stipule width — 0.6 cm. Stipule color — Medium            to dark green (Yellow-Green 144A). Anthocyanin coloration of            stipules — Medium to light pink (Red 56B).        -   Attitude of hairs.—Hairs are perpendicular to the petiole.        -   Bract leaflets.—Length of bract leaflets — 6.6 cm. Length of            bract leaflets including petiole — 14.36 cm. Width of bract            leaflets — 3.68 cm. Shape of bract leaflet — Elliptic. Shape            of bract leaflet apex — Rounded. Shape of bract leaflet base            — Attenuate to obtuse. Bract leaflet margins — Crenate.            Color of adaxial bract leaflet surface — Green to dark green            (Green 139A). Color of abaxial bract leaflet surface —            Medium green to green (Green 138B). Frequency of bract            leaflets — Bract leaflets are present on over 90% of flower            trusses.

Comparative Flower and Inflorescence Characteristics

Table 6 compares the inflorescence and secondary flower characteristicsof ‘Eves Delight’ with the inflorescence and secondary flowercharacteristics of ‘Albion.’. Inflorescence characteristics are takenfrom a fully mature plant during full bloom. Flower characteristics aretaken from a primary flower at full maturity.

TABLE 6 Quantitative Comparison of ‘Eves Delight’ and ‘Albion’Inflorescence and Secondary Flower Characteristics Characteristic ‘EvesDelight’ ‘Albion’ Fruiting Truss Length Mean (mm) 218.2 170 CorollaDiameter Mean (mm) 36.8 27.0 Calyx Diameter Mean (mm) 37 35.8 PetalLength Mean (mm) 13.7 12.7 Petal Width Mean (mm) 14.7 12.6 PetalLength/Width Ratio 0.93 1.01 Petals per Flower Mean 5-6 5-8

-   Detailed inflorescence characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Most exposed, some even.        -   Mean fruiting truss diameter.—0.48 cm.        -   Fruiting truss color.—Medium to dark green (Yellow-Green            144A).-   Detailed flower characteristics of ‘Eves Delight’:    -   -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Equal.        -   Corolla.—Size — Large. Mean corolla width — 4.25 cm. Mean            corolla depth — 0.8 cm. Petal length to width ratio — Wider            than long. Petal shape — Nearly round having an obtuse base            and apex. Petal margins — Entire. Color of adaxial petal            surface — White (Green-White 157D). Color of abaxial petal            surface — White (White 155D).        -   Calyx.—Sepal number — 11. Length of sepal — 1.6 cm. Width of            sepal — 0.7 cm. Shape of sepal — Elliptic. Shape of sepal            apex — Mostly acute, some caudate. Sepal margins — Entire.            Color of adaxial sepal surface — Green to dark green (Green            137A). Color of abaxial sepal surface — Medium green to            green (Green 138B).

Pest Reactions

The plants of ‘Eves Delight’ exhibit resistance to Powdery Mildew(Podosphaera leucotricha). They are also partially resistant to CrownRot (Phytophthora cactorum) and Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium spp.).The susceptibility of the new cultivar to any of the virus complexes ofthe United Kingdom has not been determined.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN VARIETIES

The variety which is believed to most closely resemble ‘Eves Delight’ is‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). When compared to similar cultivar‘Albion’, ‘Eves Delight’ differs by the following characteristics.

‘Eves Delight’ is a typical day-neutral strawberry cultivar, beingslightly weaker in expressing this character than ‘Albion.’ Whencompared to ‘Albion’ under United Kingdom growing conditions, ‘EvesDelight’ has a larger fruit size with greater uniformity and shape, asignificantly firmer fruit skin, and a significantly longer flowertruss. Additionally, the berries of ‘Eves Delight’ exhibit a glossybright red appearance and are significantly better flavored than theberries of ‘Albion.’

‘Eves Delight’ exhibits an erect, somewhat open growth habit. When ‘EvesDelight’ is grown in the United Kingdom, the plant size is generallygreater than ‘Albion.’ Specifically, ‘Eves Delight’ exhibits longerpetioles, larger leaves, and longer flower trusses. The leaf size of‘Eves Delight’ is medium and the leaflets are generally round andslightly wider than longer than the leaflets of ‘Albion.’ Additionally,the petiole and petiolule length of ‘Eves Delight’ is significantlygreater than ‘Albion.’ Petiole pubescence density of ‘Eves Delight’,however, tends to be very moderate compared to ‘Albion’ which exhibits avery heavy pubescence.

The leaflets of ‘Eves Delight’ typically exhibit a slightly round(obtuse) base and slightly rounded serrations. Moreover, ‘Eves Delight’has a significantly smaller number of serrations per leaf than exhibitedby ‘Albion.’ Some leaves of ‘Eves Delight’ exhibit slight to strongpuckering/blistering, particularly on the mid-tier leaflet. Leafpubescence is moderate, but less than that of ‘Albion’, and hairs appearperpendicular to the petiole.

Flower trusses typically grow clear of the foliage and flowers tend toopen at or above the canopy, however, when the flower trusses are loadedwith fruit, the trusses primarily protrude to the sides of the plantrather than in a completely upwards direction. Generally there are lessflowers and fruit per truss than many other varieties, however, thenumber of flowers and fruit per truss is similar to Albion.

The flowers of ‘Eves Delight’ are slightly larger and stronger thanthose of ‘Albion’ and are generally fewer in numbers. The primaryflowers for ‘Eves Delight’ are noticeably larger than those of ‘Albion’and ‘Eves Delight’ exhibits wider petals than ‘Albion’. The calyx of‘Eves Delight’ is distinctively larger than those of ‘Albion.’ The calyxon primary fruit for ‘Eves Delight’ exhibits some serration, a featurethat is less common and/or visible on secondary and tertiary fruit.

The berries of ‘Eves Delight’ are large in size with a shape that isprimarily wedge-shaped or conical. When grown in the United Kingdom,‘Eves Delight’ fruit is less prone to ridging than ‘Albion.’ Moreover,the average number of achenes per primary berry of ‘Eves Delight’ isgreater than the average number of achenes per primary berry of‘Albion’.

The external and internal fruit color of ‘Eves Delight’ is brighter andis substantially lighter than the color expressed by ‘Albion.’ At highertemperatures, the fruit of ‘Eves Delight’ appears to be unaffected andretains its bright red color. ‘Albion’ fruit, however, has a darker skincoloration that typically becomes darker when exposed to highertemperatures.

‘Eves Delight’ is significantly sweeter and juicier than ‘Albion’throughout the cropping season, providing a very pleasant combination offlavor, sugar and acidity. The fruit flesh of ‘Eves Delight’ is lessfirm than that of ‘Albion’ providing for a less crunchy texture and amore pleasant eating experience. ‘Eves Delight’ retains a very goodfruit quality throughout the cropping season and is stable in itsessential characteristics, i.e. fruit size, shape, quality, color,firmness, Brix levels, and good plant habit.

Commercial ratings for ‘Eves Delight’ are better than that of ‘Albion.’insomuch as ‘Eves Delight’ has significantly better qualities and asmaller fraction of non-marketable or class 2 fruit than ‘Albion.’

When grown in the United Kingdom under appropriate management, ‘EvesDelight’ has larger fruit size than ‘Albion’, however, it producesslightly less yield per individual plant than ‘Albion.’ Flowerinitiation and flower expression of ‘Eves Delight’ are generally linear;however, variation in the climate might cause slight fluctuation.Termination of flowering is temperature dependent and day-lengthindependent. ‘Eves Delight’ cropping season starts somewhat earlier than‘Albion’ under United Kingdom growing conditions.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘Eves Delight’substantially as herein described and illustrated by the characteristicsset forth above.